Authorities received a call about a motorcyclist driving recklessly near Miramar Pkwy and Red Road around 11:20 p.m. Friday. An officer soon found the suspect, who was off the bike, and without a tag.

“As the officer exited his vehicle, the driver got on the motorcycle and accelerated directly into the officer pinning the officer between the motorcycle and the driver door,” said Miramar Police’s Tania Rues.

The driver got off the bike and ran off, leaving the officer stuck between the vehicles. Fortunately, the officer did not appear to be seriously hurt, seen on video calm and alert as paramedics arrived.

A large scale perimeter was established with the help of both Broward and Miami-Dade agencies, however, the suspect was not found.

The officer was taken to Memorial West for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening and has since been released. An investigation is ongoing.

Det. Mark Moretti says an elderly couple in New York lost more than $40,000 to a woman in the city after they were promised they’d won $2 1/2 million and a brand new car.

Moretti says investigators watched as Vennesa Hawkins received several packages at a home in a gated community over the past few weeks. Inside those packages were thousands in cash, checks and Apple electronics from an elderly couple in New York who thought they had won a multimillion-dollar lottery and brand new car.

Moretti says the victims were told by the scammer that they needed to send those items to pay the taxes on their prizes.

“They’ll contact you and say, ‘Oh you won a prize but you have to pay for it upfront,'” Moretti explained. “No company does that. That right there is the red flag.”

Moretti said some of the phone numbers used to contact the victims in New York were based in Jamaica and that the scammers are skilled and prey on the elderly.

“They’re very persistent,” Moretti said. “They’re very quick. And they know how to manipulate and control people.”

CBS4 spoke on the phone with one of the victims who said the perpetrators of the scam robbed them of their sense of security.

“It has affected my life by making me nervous every time the phone rings,” the victim, who asked not to be identified, said.

The victim said she sent the items to the Miramar home because she was told she won a Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstake and they often enter those contests.

“We order magazines and things from them and we enter the things that they send,” she said.

But police say it was all a ruse and the couple lost more than $40,000.

The victim has some advice for people who get calls about prizes and other offers that sound too good to be true.

“Say thank you and hang up the phone,” she said, adding that people should never send items to people they don’t know and they shouldn’t take out cash advances on a credit card to pay for these types of prizes, which is what she did.

Det. Morretti says he’s not sure who was making the calls to the victims, but he says Hawkins was the one receiving the packages and cashing the checks.

He does believe Hawkins has additional victims out there and he is planning to pursue additional charges against her.

The arrest report in the case says Hawkins told police that the items she received were for her brother in Jamaica.

Moretti says when they searched Hawkins’ home they found evidence of identity theft.

“We took out other items of fraud,” Moretti said. “We took out counterfeit credit cards and counterfeit driver’s license.”

Police showed CBS4 surveillance pictures of Hawkins at a store trying to use some of those counterfeit cards, but Moretti says they were declined.

The detective says he arrested a woman in a similar, unrelated case a few months ago.

In that case, Moretti says, Ashley-Ann Frazer laundered $250,000 from victims of the Jamaican lottery scam through a Miramar bank. The victims in that case were from Texas, California, Hawaii and a state in the Midwest.

Moretti says these are not victimless crimes.

“The one from Hawaii was on a fixed income and she gave them everything she had,” Moretti said.

This scheme is prevalent. According to news reports in Jamaica, Last week a Jamaican judge ordered 8 people extradited to the U.S. for charges of bilking more than 80 Americans out of at least $5 1/2 million.

Jayden’s mom was working at the time. She rushed to the hospital to find her only child in a neck brace.

“I work in the nursing field, and the things that I see at work, you know, it’s heart wrenching to know that you could be at work or elsewhere and your child could be dead,” she said. “It hurts really bad. And for somebody to hit him and go home to their house, to their family, not knowing if he was OK. Are you even human?”

Besides recovering the Astro van, police said they are talking to a person of interest.

McFarlane said her son is in a great deal of pain. He has some bleeding on the brain and a swollen ankle.

She has a message for every driver.

“You have to be careful and thoughtful of people’s life, people’s children, family. Stay off your phones, it’s not even worth it,” she said. “One child I have, and I thank God I didn’t lose him. But I can’t bear to think what would have happen. How would I survive?”

If you have any information that can help police, please contact Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

The deadly accident happened on Miramar Boulevard just West of Red Road.

Miramar Fire Rescue said an 18-wheeler box truck slammed into a tree, killing the driver .

Chopper4 was over the scene as the cab of the tractor-trailer could be seen smashed with smoke still coming out of it. The tractor-trailer seems to be surrounded by tree branches and power lines power lines that came down during the crash.

At last check, traffic had been shut down in both directions on Douglas Road from Miramar Parkway to Miramar Boulevard due to an active police investigation. Drivers have been asked to use an alternate route.

Florida Power & Light is working on the downed power lines.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/10/20/miramar-streets-shutdown-after-deadly-accident/feed/0Family Needs Public’s Help Finding Killer In Miramar, Reward Increasedhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/09/12/miramar-police-to-release-new-info-in-case-of-man-killed-outside-home/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/09/12/miramar-police-to-release-new-info-in-case-of-man-killed-outside-home/#respondMon, 12 Sep 2016 22:23:23 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=497736The family of a man gunned down outside his Miramar home faced the public Monday afternoon in hopes that someone will come forward with information that will lead to the killer.]]>

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) — The family of a man gunned down outside his Miramar home faced the public Monday afternoon in hopes that someone will come forward with information that will lead to the killer.

Gavin Bromfield, 24, was shot and killed in front of his Miramar home in the early morning hours of August 3rd.

His brother, Bryan Bromfield, broke down at Monday’s news conference as he appealed to the public for tips about this brother’s murder. The family and Miramar Police an increase in the reward to $8,000.

“Gavin didn’t have a violent bone in his body,” said Howard Rye, Gavin’s cousin.

Gavin’s family is still trying to make sense of the murder.

“We don’t know why. We have no idea why this would have happened. It’s difficult to put it behind you when you’re still trying to figure out what really happened,” said his cousin Howard Rye.

Police continue to search for clues as well.

They’re not sure if Bromfield was targeted or if this was a random crime. Gavin’s car was stolen and found a short distance away.

“It happened really quick. We don’t know if there was any altercation prior to the shooting,” said Det. Hector Bertrand from the Miramar Police Department.

Police believe two men might have been involved in the crime and they might have been on foot which could explain why they stole Gavin’s car.

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – Grieving family members are speaking out after a 24-year-old loved one was gunned down during a confrontation early Wednesday outside his family’s Miramar home.

“I’m hurting,” said Babette Bromfield, the older sister of the victim, Gavin Bromfield.

She told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench, “I lost my baby brother and he didn’t even have a chance.”

Miramar police said it was around 3:40 a.m. when calls came in to police about a confrontation at a home at 71st Avenue and Alhambra Boulevard.

They said Bromfield was shot and transported to Memorial Regional Hospital where he did not survive.

His car was stolen and recovered nearby at 77th Avenue and Harbour Boulevard.

Police have not said if they believe this involved a carjacking.

The victim’s other sister, Beverly Bromfield, said, “This is painful and devastating, but this is not going to break us – this going to bring us closer. It’s sad. No family member would want to wake up to such bad news. It would mean everything if the gunman or gunmen were caught. I believe what goes around comes around. There will be justice in due time. They will get what is coming to them.”

Family members cleaned up outside the home after the deadly confrontation and embraced each other and wept.

Bromfield’s parents found out about the shooting when it appeared on the news.

The victim’s father, Barry Bromfield, shed tears as he told D’Oench, “My son was a good kid. He was friendly. He loved everybody. I can’t believe it. You know I asked him recently if he had any enemies and he said no. I never, never could believe it.”

“Any idea why this happened?” Asked D’Oench.

“No, I haven’t a clue,” he said. “This doesn’t make sense. If they really wanted his car they wouldn’t have ditched it on the other side of Miramar Parkway. I would like people to say something if they know something. But I realize at the time of the night, it’s dark.”

Barry Bromfield said he was told his son was shot in the mouth.

Miramar police spokesperson Det. Natasha Richardson said, “Calls came in about a confrontation. The basic investigation revealed there was a confrontation between the victim and an unknown suspect or suspects.”

She added, “This is an ongoing investigation and we are trying to get eyewitness accounts and see if there was surveillance tape in the area. They are trying to determine if the victim knew the suspect or suspects.”

Anyone with information should call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477). There’s a reward of up to $3,000.

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – A Miramar police officer says he was refused service at a Sunoco service station and convenience store.

“And here you are just trying to do your job, you effort an arrest. You go inside the store and the clerk won’t serve you,” said Jeff Marano with the Miramar PD.

This from the Miramar police officer, who described the clerk as a black male: “[he] walked up to me and asked why we had arrested ‘his boy.’ The individual stated he would not ring me up and stated, ‘you know why.’ I proceeded to ask him again to ring me up and the individual again refused.”

“Apparently there is some kind of relationship, the way I understand it, between the clerk and the person that was arrested, because he called him, ‘his boy,’” said Marano.

All this went down Sunday, the same day three Baton Rouge police officers were ambushed and killed and with the death of five Dallas police officers July 7th fresh on the nation’s mind.

“I was not here yesterday and I do not want to talk to anyone,” said a clerk at the store Monday evening. “[The owners] will be here a little later.”

Marano wrote “I asked the individual why he was refusing to ring up a police officer trying to buy a drink, to which he stated, ‘Because I don’t have to, that’s why.’”

“Basically tells you he is not going to serve you in front of other customers while you are standing there in a police uniform,” said Marano.

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) — A young woman who can’t speak and was found barefoot wandering Miramar alone was safely reunited with her parents.

Miramar Police said the girl was located near the 6600 block of Miramar Pkwy Wednesday morning, July 13th, wearing a Marvel superheroes t-shirt, red shorts and no shoes.

Several hours after releasing an alert, she was joined back with her parents.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/07/13/police-look-to-identify-non-verbal-woman-found-wandering-miramar/feed/0Foul Play Suspected After Two Children Found Dead In Miramarhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/08/foul-play-suspected-after-two-children-found-dead-in-miramar/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/08/foul-play-suspected-after-two-children-found-dead-in-miramar/#respondThu, 09 Jun 2016 03:46:30 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=478048Two young children were found deceased inside a Miramar home and authorities suspect foul play.]]>

Rues said foul play is suspected but gave few details on how the kids died.

Toys littered the front yard as a large police presence surrounded the home.

“They seemed happy like there was nothing wrong,” said neighbor Janae Greenway.

A man who lives in the front property says a woman knocked on his door and asked to use his phone.

“She seemed hysterical. She started crying as I left,” he said.

The street remained blocked off with investigators looking around the scene.

Detectives are are questioning relatives.

If you have any information that can help police, call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/08/foul-play-suspected-after-two-children-found-dead-in-miramar/feed/0Hit & Run Leaves Miramar Man Dead In Streethttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/03/deadly-hit-run-in-miramar/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/03/deadly-hit-run-in-miramar/#respondFri, 03 Jun 2016 15:20:15 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=476569Southbound 441 was closed down just after midnight as a man's body lay along the side of the road, covered in a yellow tarp -- the victim of a hit-and-run in Miramar.]]>

Police suspect a white cargo van seen in a grainy surveillance image was responsible for the accident that happened Friday, June 3rd, near the 2400 block.

“It appears he’s crossing the street right from over here, this direction,” said business owner Todd White, pointing to the east side of the road. “He was right in the middle lane it seemed like.”

White’s surveillance cameras from his shop across the street captured the crash. He told CBS4’s Ted Scouten that the video shows the victim being hit, then possibly dragged a few feet down the road.

“That’s crazy, that’s really messed up,” said a woman who didn’t want to be identified. Moments after the accident, she said people gathered around trying to help the man who was left to die on the ground as the suspect’s van sped off.

“We think the indications were that one of the vehicles did slow down and kept going,” said White. “And then the vehicles, after the fact, actually stopped. A good Samaritan actually stopped in front of the body.”

Investigators from the Miramar Police Dept. said that white cargo van continued southbound on 441 and believe it has damage to the front and front-left side from the impact.

“I’d like to think that the gentleman actually was startled, didn’t know what he hit. We hope that. Because it seemed hard to tell, it seemed like that. And hopefully, he turns himself in because ultimately it was an accident and he got startled,” said White.

The victim did not have any identification on him, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Miramar Police Department at (954) 602-4000 or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/03/deadly-hit-run-in-miramar/feed/0Search For Missing Miramar Teenhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/03/08/search-for-missing-miramar-teen/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/03/08/search-for-missing-miramar-teen/#respondTue, 08 Mar 2016 11:01:08 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=455795The search is on for a teenage girl who disappeared last week. Miramar police say Kaitlyn King, 14, was last seen on Thursday, March 3rd.]]>

CBS4 News has uncovered some surprising new details in a Miramar Police search warrant about the crash that killed a young couple.

The document obtained by CBS4 News shows that Miramar Police are investigating the driver, Asia Valentine who is suspected of hitting that couple, for vehicular homicide and manslaughter by culpable negligence.

No criminal charges have been filed at this point but it’s clear from the search warrant that Miramar Police are working very hard to unravel what led to the deadly crash.

We’re learning that Miramar Police are studying the data recorder from Valeninte’s GMC Envoy, in hopes of learning the speed of the vehicle prior to the crash and at impact. Investigators say Valentine hit and killed Gabrielle Camps and Jonah Mosaphir on a dark stretch of Pembroke Road just west of I-75 in the early morning hours of Monday, July 27th.

The young couple was helping push their friend’s broken down BMW. The warrant says witnesses told police that the BMW was visible from about a mile away and “The BMW had the lights on, including the hazard lights, according to surviving pedestrians.”

The warrant also mentioned the darkness of Pembroke Road, which does not have any street lights in that particular area. Police wrote “The speed of the GMC was in excess of the speed that would be reasonable and prudent to safely drive in the conditions presented.”

A Miramar Police Spokesperson told CBS4 News that all those details are still under investigation and that Valentine remained on scene and has cooperated with investigators.

Another new development is whether Valentine tried to swerve to miss the car and the pedestrians. In the initial hours after the deadly crash, Miramar Police said it did appear that Valentine tried to swerve out of the way.

However, detectives say in the warrant that “…there was no evidence of braking or evasive maneuvers prior to the impact with the first pedestrian which was approximately 10 feet to the rear of the vehicle…”

That was news to Andrew Yaffa, the attorney for the family of Gabrielle Camps, who was the first person hit.

“With this additional information of the defendant driver hitting Gabrielle, not appreciating that she impacted a pedestrian who went over the hood and hit the windshield and yet she continued at this speed, hitting another young man, taking another life,” Yaffa told CBS4’s Carey Codd. “There’s something more going on here.”

Raul Molina wonders the same thing. His son Justin barely escaped injury in the crash.

“How is it that the first realization she had of something going wrong was when she hit Gaby full force,” Molina said.

Molina and Yaffa said it remains a mystery why Valentine was unable to see the vehicle or the people pushing it.

The families of the victims say they are devastated by the loss of two happy, vibrant young people and they pray the investigation uncovers what led to this fatal crash.

“To be taken from their families when they had such a future ahead of them, so much potential,” Molina said. “They were so much in love with each other.”

The attorney for Gabrielle Camps family said he is not aware of investigators checking the suspected driver for possible drug or alcohol use following the crash. The search warrant does not mention anything about it either. A police spokesperson would only say that everything surrounding this crash remains under investigation.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/08/05/exclusive-warrant-reveals-new-details-in-deadly-miramar-crash/feed/0Shooting Victim Dropped Off At Walmart Store In Miramarhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/07/20/man-shot-near-miramar-wal-mart/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/07/20/man-shot-near-miramar-wal-mart/#commentsMon, 20 Jul 2015 20:56:19 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=403497Police are investigating a shooting that left one man wounded near a Miramar Wal-Mart on Monday.]]>

MIRAMAR(CBSMiami) – It was strange site at a busy Walmart store in Miramar as a shooting victim was dropped off by a driver and police sealed off an area by the front of the store with yellow crime scene tape.

Miramar Police spokeswoman Tania Rues told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench that the unidentified victim had been shot in a residential neighborhood not far from the Walmart store on University Drive just south of Pembroke Road and then driven there.

Rues said it was not clear exactly where the man had been shot in Miramar or why the driver picked the Walmart store instead of dropping him off at a hospital.

She said he was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital.

Part of the store was sealed off for more than an hour by the crime scene tape as investigators looked at and inside the maroon Suzuki Forenza that the victim was in.

Shortly before 5 p.m., the car was towed from the scene and the tape was taken down.

Shoppers told D’Oench they were surprised by the police activity.

“When I got here I saw police talking to one man by the car,” said Terry Ingram. “I went shopping. I went to run an errand. Then I found out one man got shot. It was kind of a surprise to me. I thought this was innocuous at first. Then all of a sudden, I saw this.

“I’m a former police officer and I don’t know what to think about all of this. I have not formed an opinion yet,” he added

Rues said she did not know the motive for the shooting. She said the victim was not cooperating.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office used its helicopter in the search for the gunman.

Rues said police do not have a good description of the suspect or suspects.

Anyone who can help Miramar Police should call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477).

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) — Miramar Police are investigating the scene where a man died on a driveway.

Police said it all happened on 6500 block of SW 18th Street on Tuesday.

“They were running and running and shots were fired. But I don’t know who shot him or seen who shot him,” neighbor Willdith Boub said.

Police responded at around 5:30 p.m. The man was found with multiple gunshot wounds, lying on the driveway in front of a home.

“Detectives are still speaking with neighbors if there’s any witnesses to the actual shooting or if there are any witnesses to the shooting or if they just heard anything,” Miramar Police Officer Natasha Richardson said. “So they’re still gathering information in order to put together a flyer and any other information they want to reveal in reference to this case.”

It is unclear if that was home, but neighbors told police they have seen him around the area. Some said he lived in a home down the street, but no one at that home wanted to comment.

Authorities have not released the identity of the man, but say he was 26-years old.

“It’s just shocking to know that something like this can happen at any moment and we don’t even know who the person is, the shooter,” Boub said. “This is like the second time something like this has happened. Now I don’t even think my parents will let me leave the house now because you never know, life is very short.”

Another neighbor, Raynaldo Brown, said “Somebody getting killed so early in the day, that’s tragic. I don’t know for what reason or what morals the person has but they gotta chill out.”

Police did not have a description of a shooter to release to reporters Tuesday.

Anyone with information is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/03/31/man-found-shot-on-miramar-driveway/feed/0Arrest Made In Miramar House Fire, Deathhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/03/25/arrest-made-in-miramar-house-fire-death/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/03/25/arrest-made-in-miramar-house-fire-death/#commentsWed, 25 Mar 2015 12:31:29 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=375801A man accused of starting a fire in Miramar home with a woman inside has been taken into custody.]]>Follow CBSMIAMI.COM:Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A man accused of starting a fire in Miramar home with a woman inside has been taken into custody.

Miguel Castano-Herrera, 56, started the fire in the home in the 6600 block of SW 20th Street on January 16th, according to police.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/03/25/arrest-made-in-miramar-house-fire-death/feed/1Miramar Detectives Believe Three Recent Robberies Are Connectedhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/02/10/miramar-detectives-believe-three-recent-robberies-are-connected/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/02/10/miramar-detectives-believe-three-recent-robberies-are-connected/#commentsWed, 11 Feb 2015 04:25:18 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=365204Miramar Police are investigating whether a robbery at an auto parts supply store Monday night may be connected to two other robberies in the county.]]>MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) — Miramar Police are investigating whether a robbery at an auto parts supply store Monday night may be connected to two other robberies in the county.

The latest robbery happened at the AutoZone on State Road 7 Monday night.

Surveillance video shows two armed men wearing hoodies and green bandanas over their faces storm in demanding cash.

An employee opened the safe and the robbers took as much money as they could get their hands on.

The manager at the store said four employees and two customers were inside at the time.

The robbery happened just a day after two similar hold-ups in Davie and Sunrise.

On Sunday in Davie, armed robbers held up a Miami Subs restaurant on State Road 7.

One person suffered minor injuries and the bad guys got away.

That same day in Sunrise, two men, also wearing hoodies and green bandanas, barged into the Little Caesars pizzeria on North Pine Island Road with guns drawn.

After getting cash from the register, police said the robbers forced three employees into the freezer, where they bound their hands with duct tape and shot one person in the foot when he refused to give his cell phone password.

One of the robbers in the Sunrise crime was wearing sweatpants with a greenish colored stripe down the side. A man in the Miramar robbery appears to be wearing the same, if not very similar, pants.

A spokesperson for the Miramar Police Department said detectives believe the three cases may be connected.

Spokespeople for Davie and Sunrise PD could not confirm that Tuesday night, but did say no arrests had been made in their respective cases.

Anyone with information is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/01/21/womans-injuries-deem-death-suspicious/feed/0Three In Custody After Short Miramar Police Pursuithttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/three-in-custody-after-short-miramar-police-pursuit/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/three-in-custody-after-short-miramar-police-pursuit/#respondTue, 20 Jan 2015 22:29:13 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=359925A short police pursuit came to an end at a Miramar canal when a suspected carjacker almost ended up in the water with the entire car.]]>Follow CBSMIAMI.COM:Facebook | Twitter

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – A short police pursuit came to an end at a Miramar canal when a suspected carjacker almost ended up in the water with the entire car.

The pursuit ended at Palm Avenue and Miramar Parkway where the stolen car crashed through a guard rail and landed partially in the canal.

Office workers nearby heard the commotion.

“We just heard a lot of cars, you know, cops, we just heard a boom and everybody just came out of the office to see what’s going on,” said Mark Alcivar who works nearby.

When he and his co-workers got outside, they made it just in time to see officers grab for their guns.

“All we saw was just cops pointing guns at the person who was in the vehicle,” he described.

There were actually three people inside, two guys and a woman. They were all taken into custody.

The entire incident started Sunday in West Park.

Investigators say a Nissan Altima was taken when an elderly woman was carjacked at gunpoint.

Tuesday afternoon around 1:00 p.m., a Miramar Police officer spotted the car at a Hess gas station at Douglas Road and Miramar Parkway, just a few blocks from where it ended up in the water.

“(He) noticed a white Nissan Altima, ran the tag of that vehicle and that vehicle came back to the armed carjacking that took place the day before yesterday,” said Miramar Police Spokeswoman Tania Rues.

When police went to pull the car over, there was a short chase before it went off the road and over the embankment, stopping just before fully going into the water.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/01/20/three-in-custody-after-short-miramar-police-pursuit/feed/0MDPD Releases ID Of Armed Robbery Suspect Killed In Shootouthttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/01/02/miami-dade-pd-releases-ids-of-armed-robbery-suspects/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/01/02/miami-dade-pd-releases-ids-of-armed-robbery-suspects/#commentsSat, 03 Jan 2015 04:30:13 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=355821The Miami-Dade Police Department has released the name of the armed robbery suspect killed by Miramar Police officers who were forced to shoot after an exchange of gunfire.]]>Follow CBSMIAMI.COM:Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Police Department has released the name of the armed robbery suspect killed by Miramar Police officers who were forced to shoot after a neighborhood gun fight on New Years Eve.

Investigators say 28-year-old Eric Tyrone Forbes was killed after he shot at the officers as he tried to make his getaway.

Police spokeswoman Tania Rues told CBS4’s Travell Eiland that Miramar officers had gone to a Miramar home to check on a “be on the look out for” (BOLO) for a suspect who was wanted for an armed robbery of a Western Union business in Miami-Dade on Wednesday.

Rues said while officers were at the home, Eric Tyrone Forbes and his alleged accomplice, 28-year-old Stacy Williams – arrived and they took off. Officers pursued them into a Miami neighborhood near NW67th Street and 6th Ave where they ditched the car, took off on foot and Forbes fired at officers. The cops returned fire and Forbes was shot and killed.

Williams was taken into custody on charges of resisting officer without violence to his person, false name/id/after arrest and cannabis/possession/20 grams.

Stacy Williams, 28, was taken into custody on charges of resisting officer without violence to his person, false name/id/after arrest and cannabis/possession/20 grams. (Source: Miami-Dade Corrections)

In court on Friday CBS4 learned Williams is a convicted felon and is on probation. Prosecutors wanted him to be held in jail for violating his parole. The judge refused, citing that the court has no jurisdiction on felony cases. Williams received a 3-thousand dollar bond.

The suspect who was killed, Tyrone Forbes, also has an extensive criminal history and was also on parole at the time of the shootout with officers.

Rues said the two officers involved have been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard procedure.

Some neighbors criticized police for engaging in a gun fight while children and innocent by-standers were nearby.

The Miramar police spokesperson also said she believed officers followed policy in this case and officers had to fire at Forbes in order to defend themselves.

Miami Police Major Delrish Moss said that Miami police would be investigating the shooting to see if the officers who killed the suspect violated any laws. Miramar Police are also working an internal investigation to determine if any department policies were broken.

“The one thing I can say is that this is an active investigation,” said Moss.

MIAMI(CBSMiami)— Two Miramar Police Officers are on paid leave after they were forced to shoot and kill an armed robbery suspect in Miami after an exchange of gunfire.

Police spokeswoman Tania Rues told CBS4’s Travell Eiland that Miramar officers had gone to a Miramar home to check on a “be on the look out for” (BOLO) for a suspect who was wanted for an armed robbery of a Western Union business in Miami-Dade.

Rues said while officers were at the home the suspects arrived. She said they took off and officers pursued him.

She said two men lead police on a chase into Miami. They eventually ditched the car near Northwest 67 street and 6th Ave. As they ran away, police say one of the men fired at officers. The cops returned fire and the suspect was shot and killed and another man was taken into custody. Neighbors are upset because they say children were playing in the area an witnessed the shooting.

Rues said the officers had to fire at the suspect in order to defend themselves.

“Unfortunately the suspects fired and there was an exchange of gunfire,” she said.

Neither he nor the man taken into custody have been identified. It’s not known if that man will face charges at this point.

Rues said the two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

She also said she believed officers followed policy in this case.

Miami Police Major Delrish Moss said that Miami police would be investigating the shooting to see if the officers who killed the suspect violated any laws. Miramar Police are also working an internal investigation to determine if any department policies were broken.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/12/31/police-close-off-miami-neighborhood-after-shooting/feed/6Miramar Mayor Pushing For More Officershttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/12/18/miramar-mayor-pushing-for-more-officers/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/12/18/miramar-mayor-pushing-for-more-officers/#commentsFri, 19 Dec 2014 01:10:51 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=352943The mayor of Miramar issued a press release Thursday night to say she will ask for more police officers to be hired in the city.]]>Follow CBSMIAMI.COM:Facebook | Twitter

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – The mayor of Miramar issued a press release Thursday night to say she will ask for more police officers to be hired in the city.

Miramar Mayor Lori C. Moseley will urge City Manager Kathleen Woods-Richardson to bring a plan to the Commission board soon.

“I think we have a very hard working, community- conscious police department that continues to wait patiently for new officers. Though the City reports a decline in its crime rate, these efforts are being realized with fewer cops on the street,” stated Moseley in the release.

Moseley believes 8 to 10 additional officers are necessary for the city.

The request for more officers comes after the groundbreaking ceremony for a 65,000-square-foot headquarters for the department that will also house the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/12/18/miramar-mayor-pushing-for-more-officers/feed/1Police Back At Home Of Mother Accused Of Trying To Drown Babyhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/11/11/police-back-at-home-of-mother-accused-of-trying-to-drown-baby/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/11/11/police-back-at-home-of-mother-accused-of-trying-to-drown-baby/#respondWed, 12 Nov 2014 03:30:15 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=343355Miramar Police were again called to the home of a woman accused of trying to drown her baby but this time they found a woman unconscious.]]>Follow CBSMIAMI.COM:Facebook | Twitter

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) — Miramar Police were again called to the home of a woman accused of trying to drown her baby but this time they found a woman unconscious.

According to CBS4 news partners The Miami Herald, police said the woman died after being rushed to Memorial Hospital Miramar.

Police would not confirm if the woman was Inakesha Armour, who is facing attempted murder charges in connection to the near drowning. They only thing they could confirm is that they received a 911 call about an unconscious woman inside the Armour home located in the 5300 block of Southwest 155th Avenue.

The paper was unable to reach Armour’s attorney for comment Tuesday evening.

The baby’s father Conlan Armour, 30, and grandmother Grace Ann Brooks, 56, were arrested in October on charges of failure to report child abuse and child neglect in connection to the near drowning.

Grace Brooks and Armour (Source: BSO)

Police said they were both charged with child neglect “in the form of culpable negligence due to their lack of willingness to protect the baby.”

On July 1st, baby Cayden Armour was rushed to Joe DiMaggio hospital after his mother, Inakesha Armour, allegedly threw him in their Riviera Isles community lake and then fished him out several minutes later.

He remains in the hospital, unconscious and on a ventilator, according police.

The baby’s mother told police she was suffering from postpartum depression and hadn’t been taking her medication.

Inakesha Armour was charged with two counts of attempted murder because investigators said this isn’t the first time she tried to kill her baby. A month before, she told police at the time, she had fed the baby adult cough syrup and tried to smother him with a pillow.

The mother and aunt of Gatlin told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench Monday they believe he is innocent. The two women did not want to show their faces on camera for CBS4 and only gave their first names.

“I just go to believe in him,” said Betsy, Gatlin’s mother. “I know he didn’t do that. He’s better than that.”

“I feel terrible for the women but they could be lying,” added Gatlin’s aunt named Rose. “I’m totally convinced that he’s innocent.”

D’Oench also learned Gatlin is on probation for child abuse.

Police said Gatlin, Johnekins and Blackwood were involved in separate incidents in September and October.

“They make it like he’s an awful kid but he’s not,” said Rose.

According to police, on September 24th, two women, who came to Miami from the Port Charlotte area, met up with Blackwood and Gatlin at a Miramar residence after meeting through social media.

“Both women were held at gunpoint. Both women were raped by both of these individuals,” said Tania Rues with Miramar Police. “Their personal belongings were also stolen. These men robbed, raped and terrorized women.”

Miramar Police said on October 26th, a woman in her 20s left Club 7 off Miramar Parkway and State Road 7 and got in her vehicle, parked at a nearby KFC.

“These 2 men raped this girl in her vehicle. They threatened her. They told her if she reported the crime, they would kill her,” said Rues.

According to investigators, surveillance video and DNA evidence identified Blackwood and Johnekins as the attackers.

A third incident is now under investigation.

Miramar police said at least one of the three men is believed to have been involved in another rape early Friday morning.

Two more women were terrorized and one was raped in that case, police said.

Records show Gatlin was on three-years of probation for a June child abuse case, but his aunt and his mother said he is innocent in that case too.

“He did not do that. Frankie was just hanging with the wrong people,” said Rose. “I know my nephew.” “Frankie is not that type of boy to rape and hold women at gunpoint. Frankie’s not that type of kid.”

“Frankie’s my son. I don’t appreciate that they are railroading my boy cause Miramar don’t like him, no way. He’s trying to stay home and be a better child,” Gatlin’s mother added. “I know he didn’t do all that stuff.

Police said Gatlin and his two friends are all convicted felons.

Officers believe there are more victims out there and are asking them or anyone with information to step forward and call Miramar Police at 954-602-4000.

Police said the three men know each other and were involved in separate incidents in September and October.

According to police, on September 24th, two women who came down to Miami from the Port Charlotte area and met up with Blackwood and Gatlin at a Miramar residence after meeting through social media.

“Both women were held at gunpoint,” said Tania Rues with the Miramar Police Department. “Both women were raped by both of these individuals. Their personal belongings were also stolen.”

Miramar Police said on October 26th, a woman in her 20s left Club 7 off Miramar Parkway and State Road 7 and got in her vehicle, parked at a nearby KFC.

“As this victim was punching her home address into her GPS, two men approached her with weapons,” added Rues. “These two men raped this girl in her vehicle. They threatened her. They told her if she reported the crime, they would kill her.”

According to investigators, surveillance video and DNA evidence identified Blackwood and Johnekins as the attackers.

A third incident is now under investigation.

Miramar police said at least one of these three men is believed to have been involved in another rape early Friday morning.

“We do have a third incident where two other women were terrorized and one of the two were raped,” said Rues.

Officers believe there are more victims out there and are asking them or anyone with information to step forward and call Miramar Police at 954-602-4000.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/11/08/three-men-accused-of-robbing-raping-women/feed/2Parents Say Son Went Missing Due To Bus Driver Confusionhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/10/02/parents-say-son-went-missing-due-to-bus-driver-confusion/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/10/02/parents-say-son-went-missing-due-to-bus-driver-confusion/#respondThu, 02 Oct 2014 21:43:46 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=332641Some Broward parents are demanding answers after they say their five-year-old mildly autistic son went missing for two hours because of confusion by a substitute school bus driver.]]>PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami)—Some Broward parents are demanding answers after they said their five-year-old mildly autistic son went missing for two hours because of confusion by a substitute school bus driver.

Kierra Richardson told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench that she was horrified when she received a call at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon from the grandmother of her 5-year-old son Marquese that he did not get off his bus from Palm Cove Elementary School at his father’s condominium complex in Pembroke Pines.

“I called the school and it was closed. And then I called the school board of transportation,” Richardson told D’Oench. “They said something happened with the original bus driver and they ended up having a substitute bus driver and she dropped them off.”

It turns out Marquese was on a bus but it was running late. His father was waiting for him and left the complex to search for his son at the school, thinking he had not gotten on the bus.

Richardson said her son should never have been dropped off without an adult being present. She said Palm Cove Elementary was under strict instructions to always leave her son with an adult.

“The reason I was so upset is that this happened prior and I spoke to the Principal and he was informed that Marquese was not just to left off, he was only to be left off to a parent or a guardian which was not done of course,” she said.

Richardson said she called both Miramar and Pembroke Pines police. Two hours later, at 5:30 p.m., she said she was told by police that Marquese was playing with a child inside a gate at the Landings condominium complex where the father lives.

“He had also been in a stranger’s home,” said Richardson.

“I am concerned,” she said, “because working in child care, a child’s safety should be the first priority.”

Marquese’s step-father Dwayne Thomas said he was concerned as well.

“He is just a child,” he said. “Why let a child wander the streets like this. So much violence on the street is going on right now. I just feel disgusted by the situation. They need to take care and be concerned.”

D’Oench tried to speak with the Principal at Palm Cove Elementary but he was referred to the Broward school system.

Spokeswoman Cathleen Brennan released a statement, saying “The District’s Transportation Department is investigating the details surrounding yesterday’s incident. School leadership has been in communication with the student’s family and is working to gather additional information regarding this situation. At all times, student safety is the District’s highest priority.”

“I feel very upset and feel they are not concerned,” said Richardson. “After speaking with the Principal, it seems they are still not concerned about what happened.”

Richardson said she was not satisfied with the answers she received from the principal. She said she pulled her son out of Palm Cove Elementary and was placing him in an elementary school near his grandmother’s home in Opa-Locka.RELATED CONTENT:

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/10/02/parents-say-son-went-missing-due-to-bus-driver-confusion/feed/0Toddler Found Floating In Miramar Poolhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/09/19/toddler-found-floating-in-miramar-pool/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/09/19/toddler-found-floating-in-miramar-pool/#commentsFri, 19 Sep 2014 21:26:26 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=328284Rescue crews rushed a toddler to the hospital Friday morning after he was found floating face down in a Miramar pool.]]>MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) — Rescue crews rushed a toddler to the hospital Friday morning after he was found floating face down in a Miramar pool.

Miramar Police said Antonio Hester, an 8-year veteran of the force, stole two bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label from a group of women that he was investigating for grand theft at a Walgreens store in May 2013.

Investigators say Hester lied about returning the booze to the women after they were cleared of wrongdoing and never placed the liquor into the evidence room at the Miramar Police Department.

According to the probable cause affidavit, “Officer Hester was captured on store surveillance leaving the manager’s office with the two bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label. When Officer Hester exited the store he is observed by (Walgreen’s Loss Prevention Officer) placing the items in the trunk of his patrol vehicle.”

The arrest report stated Hester wrote in his official report of the incident that “he returned the bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label back to (the women.)” However, “all three (women) advised that they never received the alcohol and were never again contacted by Officer Hester,” the affidavit said.

Hester faces a total of three charges, including petit theft, falsifying records and official misconduct. An employee at the Broward County Jail said Hester was released from the jail on bond on Thursday evening.

Miramar Police said Hester is on unpaid administrative leave while an administrative investigation into the incident moves forward.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/17/miramar-officer-arrested-under-investigation/feed/1Police Investigating Multiple Car Burglaries In Hialeahhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/06/19/police-investigating-multiple-car-burglaries-in-hialeah/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/06/19/police-investigating-multiple-car-burglaries-in-hialeah/#commentsThu, 19 Jun 2014 21:50:10 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=304109 Police are looking for a man who committed several car burglaries overnight in Hialeah. The man walked up and down the street in the area of 16th Avenue and West 65th Street going up to different cars. ]]>HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – Police are looking for a man who committed several car burglaries overnight in Hialeah.

Surveillance cameras caught a man walked up and down the street in the area of 16th Avenue and West 65th Street checking out cars. Specifically, he checked to see if their door were locked. If they weren’t he went inside and took whatever he wanted, according to Hialeah police.

The man burglarized nearly a dozen vehicles, one image showed him going into a parked Buick. He can be seen pulling out an air conditioner filter and leaving the door open before moving on to a van parked in the same driveway.

“I don’t know. That’s so stupid I think,” said resident Victor Ocana. “Actually it happened once before and someone tried to break into the house, so they’ve already been around. I don’t know if it’s the same group of people, but I know they’ve been around.”

“This is not a neighborhood that is like that bad, it’s really good you know, but things happen you know,” said resident Randy Gonzalez.

Two of the cars hit belonged to Juan Galan’s family.

“They stole the movies an electric charger and a compressor, I got pretty mad,” said Galan. “I thought this was a peaceful neighborhood, so [it was] a little shocking.”

No windows on any of the car doors were broken. Police said that they have dusted for fingerprints but they have no suspects as of yet.

In the meantime residents whose cars were spared this time around say they won’t be taking any chances.

“I’m pretty OCD about that,” said one resident. “Now I’ll make sure not to leave anything of value in my car.”

Miramar police are also looking for the man responsible for 11 car burglaries at the Residence Inn Marriot located at 14700 SW 29 Street. The man was spotted in a red, four door sedan, possibly a Hyundai or a Kia, with silver rims and has dreadlocks.

Police have not said if the burglaries are connected but police say the man could be responsible for other car burglaries in different areas.

Click Here to watch Summer Knowles’ report.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/06/19/police-investigating-multiple-car-burglaries-in-hialeah/feed/1Exclusive: Couple’s Son Had His Hand On Gun In Fatal Shootinghttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/06/18/exclusive-couples-son-had-his-hand-on-gun-that-fired-fatal-shot/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/06/18/exclusive-couples-son-had-his-hand-on-gun-that-fired-fatal-shot/#commentsThu, 19 Jun 2014 03:40:23 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=303991After more than three years of investigating, the Broward State Attorney's Office has cleared a South Florida man in the shooting death of his girlfriend. The case garnered headlines because it was the couple's two-year-old son who had his hands on the gun at the time the fatal shot rang out in his mother's Miramar apartment.]]>FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — After more than three years of investigating, the Broward State Attorney’s Office has cleared a South Florida man in the shooting death of his girlfriend. The case garnered headlines because it was the couple’s two-year-old son who had his hands on the gun at the time the fatal shot rang out in his mother’s Miramar apartment.

In a close-out memo obtained by CBS 4 News, prosecutors say that Julia Bennett was “accidentally shot once when Hewart Bailey attempted to retrieve his gun from their son.” The memo also says that “Due to the child’s age and other circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident…no criminal charges can be filed.”

The document makes clear that investigators took a long, hard look at Bailey and decided that even though he made a fatal mistake in the handling of his firearm, he did not commit a crime.

It was April 20, 2011, when Julia Bennett was home in her Miramar apartment with her son. The boy’s father, Bailey, who was married at the time according to prosecutors, was visiting. Prosecutors say Bailey had a Glock 9mm with him when he arrived at Bennett’s apartment. Bailey said he thought he cleared the gun’s chamber then put the gun under some couch pillows.

At some point the couple’s son grabbed the gun and his mother warned the boy to put it down.

Prosecutors write that “Hewart Bailey stated that he grabbed his son so suddenly that he knocked (the boy) down, just as the gun went off, firing one shot. Hewart Bailey ultimately admitted to the possibility that when he grabbed his son’s hand it may have caused the gun to fire.”

After the shot rang out, Bailey made an emotional 911 call.

The memo says prosecutors paid a great deal of attention to the 911 call. They said it showed that Bailey “was clearly distressed.” Miramar Police, who were in the apartment complex at the time on an unrelated call, were at the apartment within minutes and what they found is another reason prosecutors declined to file charges.

The memo says, “…Miramar Police Department Officers’ rapid response to the scene of the shooting would seem to rule out any possibility of someone ‘staging the scene’ to make the shooting appear accidental.”

As investigators thoroughly pored over the evidence of Bennett’s death they interviewed Bailey. The memo says “…Hewart tells detectives that the one thing he wants is for God to save her (referring to Julia). This conduct does not comport with an individual who intended to shoot or kill his girlfriend.”

Prosecutors say the evidence at the scene matched Bailey’s story and there were no inconsistencies in what Bailey told police. Investigators write that there is “no evidence that Hewart Bailey deliberately pointed the gun at his girlfriend and pulled the trigger.”

Based on all the information, prosecutors write that “none of these actions would rise to the level of culpable negligence necessary to charge manslaughter.”

The memo details how investigators say they studied the gun as well as the trigger on the gun to look at the DNA on the weapon. Prosecutors said they could not exclude Bailey or his son from the DNA found on the firearm. Prosecutors also say it has been shown that small children do have the strength to pull the trigger on semiautomatic weapons.

We showed the documents to Julia Bennett’s uncle Hugh Pearce. He said the family accepts the prosecutor’s decision.

“Based on the state attorney investigation, if they come to that conclusion there’s not much we can do,” Pearce said. “We just have to go by that.”

As for the boy, Pearce said the child lives with his father. He also said they miss Julia every day.

“It’s very hard but we just have to move on,” Pearce said.

CBS 4 News tried to speak with Hewart Bailey but we could not reach him.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/06/18/exclusive-couples-son-had-his-hand-on-gun-that-fired-fatal-shot/feed/2Miramar Parents Thank First Responders Who Saved Toddlerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/04/16/miramar-parents-thank-first-responders-who-saved-toddler/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/04/16/miramar-parents-thank-first-responders-who-saved-toddler/#respondWed, 16 Apr 2014 22:00:27 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=288644The parents of a South Florida toddler who nearly drowned in a pool last month are pleading with parents to do whatever they can to prevent another tragedy.]]>MIAMI(CBSMiami) — Holding her playful daughter in her arms, Wendy Matos is reminded how easily she could have lost her baby.

Mato’s daughter, Helena Brochey was just 20 months when she was found face down in the pool of a relative’s home back in March.

“You’re just used to everything being safe and it just takes one moments distraction,” said Matos.

In a released 911 call, you can hear Matos saying, “My daughter’s in the pool,” then you hear screams.

In another 911 call, from Brochey’s cousin you hear, “My cousin she fell in the water. I don’t think she’s breathing. She drowned. My aunt, she’s doing CPR.”

“It was almost like a trance, you don’t really believe what you’re seeing. We had taken several precautions to keep her from falling in the pool and again it just happened,” said Matos.

Mom and a relative gave the toddler CPR until first responders arrived minutes later.

“I know she’s incredibly lucky to be here and we are so grateful to everyone that responded and made sure that my daughter is still with us today,” said Matos.

“It’s heart wrenching… a mom running up to you with their lifeless child and hands them off expecting you’re going to make everything better,” said Officer Patrick Murphy of Miramar Police. “I’ve had five other instances where we had children drown.”

Wendy said when her baby was in the hospital, she promised herself that if Brochey survived, she would do whatever she could to help parents prevent even one tragedy from happening.

“You don’t believe it can happen to you either because you’re a good parent or you’re taking all the measures you possibly can but it can happen,” said Matos. “You have to be very aware of your children and all bodies of water near them because they’re curious. They’re going to go for the one thing they shouldn’t go after.”

“I remember when I was in the operating room that first day when she was out cold. Her eyes were open but not looking at anything. I don’t want anybody to ever have to see that,” said Chris Brochey, Helena’s father. “It’s so, so easy to have that not happen to you. You just have to take a few precautions.”

Brochey’s parents and Miramar Police said it’s not just about keeping a close eye on your kids, it’s also important to give them swim lessons as early as possible. Parents should also learn CPR because that could mean the difference between life and death.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/04/16/miramar-parents-thank-first-responders-who-saved-toddler/feed/0Community Pays Respect To Wheelchair Bound Woman Killed By Truckhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/04/06/service-sunday-for-wheelchair-bound-woman-killed-by-truck/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/04/06/service-sunday-for-wheelchair-bound-woman-killed-by-truck/#respondSun, 06 Apr 2014 22:43:56 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=286280Members of the Miramar community are set to gather Sunday afternoon to pay their respects to a Miramar woman who was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while she was using her electric wheelchair.]]>MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) — Members of the Miramar community gathered Sunday afternoon to pay their respects to a Miramar woman who was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while she was using her electric wheelchair.

Diana Rosa Gonzalez, 49, was hit and killed around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night as the driver of the tractor trailer was making a turn to go southbound on University Drive near Miramar Parkway.

Miramar Police spokeswoman Tania Rues told CBS4, “It appears the driver of the tractor trailer was unaware that he hit her and he dragged her quite a bit of distance.”

Rues said a motorist flagged down the driver of the tractor trailer after noticing sparks from accident-related debris flying from his truck.

“That driver was apparently very distraught,” said Rues.

The driver is not being identified. No charges have been filed .While it appears that the incident was an accident, Rues said this case is still an open investigation.

Friends and neighbors said Gonzalez was a fixture on University Drive. She was often seen riding her electric wheelchair from her apartment at Pines Place near Pembroke Road up and down University Drive to see friends and stop. Living with cerebral palsy, Gonzalez tried to lead as normal a life as possible. A life filled with positivity and free of pity.

“She did touch a lot of hearts. There’s a lot of people that love her,” said her brother Fernando Gonzalez.”Very strong willed sister, very tough but very fair. She never felt sorry for who she was.”

“It’s devastating. It’s killing me. It’s killing. She was a sweetheart to everybody,” said the victim’s friend, Abraham Doumbouya. “I would see her all the time and sometimes I would stop and push her wheelchair. Sometimes I would help put her wheelchair in my car and drive her home.One time she told me her wheelchair was her legs, but that never should have happened.Sometimes she would go to Walmart at 12:30 in the morning where there were no lights and it was pitch dark.”

Another neighbor, Diane Davis, said, “I always saw her going to the store in her electric wheelchair. I am very sorry to hear that. She was always in her wheel chair going everywhere. She was not afraid to go anywhere.”

Gonzalez made news recently when the battery of her electric wheelchair died and she was stranded, two Miramar Police officers came to her aid.

Rues said “I was fortunate enough to meet her a month and a half ago and she always had a smile on her face. She mentioned to me she had an angel helping her.”

“It’s very tragic but I hope her spirit continues and people look up to her,” said Fernando Gonzalez.

Gonzalez’s memorial service started at 4: 00 p.m. at the Levitt-Weinstein Hollywood Chapel on the grounds of Beth David Cemetery at 3201 N. 72nd Avenue.

The family requested donations in Diana’s memory be made to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/04/06/service-sunday-for-wheelchair-bound-woman-killed-by-truck/feed/0Wheelchair Bound Woman Struck, Killed By Truck In Miramarhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/03/27/wheelchair-bound-woman-struck-killed-by-truck-in-miramar/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/03/27/wheelchair-bound-woman-struck-killed-by-truck-in-miramar/#respondThu, 27 Mar 2014 21:51:23 +0000Miramar Police – CBS Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=283956 Friends and neighbors are mourning the loss of a 49-year-old Miramar woman who was struck and killed Wednesday night by a tractor trailer while she was using her electric wheelchair.]]>MIRAMAR (CBS4) – Friends and neighbors are mourning the loss of a 49-year-old Miramar woman who was struck and killed Wednesday night by a tractor trailer while she was using her electric wheelchair.

“It’s devastating. It’s killing me. It’s killing. She was a sweetheart to everybody,” said the victim’s friend, Abraham Doumbouya.

Miramar Police spokeswoman Tania Rues told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench, “It appears the driver of the tractor trailer was unaware that he hit her and he dragged her quite a bit of distance.”

She told D’Oench the accident happened around 10 p.m. Wednesday night as the driver of a tractor trailer was making a turn to go southbound on University Drive near Miramar Parkway.

Rues said a motorist flagged down the driver of the tractor trailer after noticing sparks from accident-related debris flying from his truck.

“That driver was apparently very distraught,” said Rues. The driver is not being identified. No charges have been filed and while it appears that this incident was an accident, Rues said this case is still an open investigation.

Doumbouya and other friends and neighbors said Diana Gonzalez was a fixture on University Drive. She was often seen riding her electric wheelchair from her apartment at Pines Place near Pembroke Road up and down University Drive to see friends and stop.

“I would see her all the time and sometimes I would stop and push her wheelchair. Sometimes I would help put her wheelchair in my car and drive her home,” said Doumbouya. “One time she told me her wheelchair was her legs, but that never should have happened,” he said. “Sometimes she would go to Walmart at 12:30 in the morning where there were no lights and it was pitch dark.”

“She was such a sweet lady. She sometimes wanted to do barbecues to feed everyone. She was always in good spirits. She lifted my spirits up.

Sometimes when I would feel down and I would see her paralyzed and in a wheelchair and she still had the joys of life,” Doumbouya said.

“That’s very sad,” said neighbor Brian McQueen. “I used to see her arrive here and go back and forth from Pines Place all the time.

“She was very quiet and but she would go back and forth all the time on her electric wheelchair,” said Satora.

Another neighbor, Diane Davis, said, “I always saw her going to the store in her electric wheelchair. I am very sorry to hear that. She was always in her wheel chair going everywhere. She was not afraid to go anywhere.”

Gonzalez made news recently when the battery of her electric wheelchair died and she was stranded, two Miramar Police officers came to her aid.

Rues said “I was fortunate enough to meet her a month and a half ago and she always had a smile on her face. She mentioned to me she had an angel helping her.”